Absolutely love. I was fortunate enough to live in a very large home that had plenty of storage space.
Before moving into my small condo, I admit I had every handmade card from all of my 5 children, for every holiday, birthday etc. and I knew it was time to make a difficult decision. Keep or be honest about what was really worth keeping.
Along with 500 plus pictures, mementos and cards from my dear husband, I finally let most go.
I’m not a collector of anything and I now feel less stressed after freeing myself from the guilt of letting go.
I’m sure it was really hard to get rid of those things, Barb. I think it helps to remember too that the people associated with these items wouldn’t want us to feel stressed about them, you know? So I’m very glad you were able to get past the guilt. Guilt sucks.
First of all KondoMinimum is such a missed opportunity it hurts. Second, I almost bought a childhood toy replica on eBay for like $100 because it was so special to me as a child…but, instead, I took a screenshot. Turns out that’s all I needed. So I think you’re onto something.
THANK YOU for agreeing with me on KondoMinimum. I felt like I was alone on an island with that one. And kudos on saving $100! (Was it a cherub? I bet it was a cherub.)
Never came accross the idea to take a picture of sentimental items and store them. We might move countries soon and I can see how this is a great idea especially for things like cards or rather "useless" but still memory-drenched things.
If it makes you feel better- your mum isn’t the only one who dumped a jar of baby teeth on their unsuspecting and horrified adult child. I have a ton of friends who have reported this moment and their reaction.
Hi Chris, fellow baby teeth receiver here. I got them sent to me FOR MY 53rd BIRTHDAY, along with the costume I wore in my 7th grade musical production. Hahahahaha
Full disclosure- I had my daughters baby teeth in a silver box for a few years )that sounds super creepy said out loud), but my darling spawn replaced them with broken pieces of a green sweet tart for reasons only she and god understand.
It did save me the dilemma of what to do with them though so I’m thankful 😂
Lol I swear you write things I wish I'd thought of first. All the livelong day 😂
This is exactly my life.... I WILL get rid of the things later. Or...I'll just wait til I'm dead and let my landlord do it so I don't have to be accountable. After I'm dead there will be no one who cares about my stuff. My child went before me and I'm convinced that was part of his master plan so he wouldn't have to Kondo my condo.
I'm so sorry about your son, Kristi. It's so cool that you can talk about him with humor like that. And yeah, I don't know your landlord, but I'm 100% sure he deserves to be stuck dealing with your stuff. Screw that guy. (Unless he's actually a good person, in which case forget everything I just said.)
So many great one liners! Kondominium. Haha. At my place it’s never wine o’clock. Haha. Awesome piece. We’ve had to move a lot over the years. It’s a great way to spring clean. Taking pictures is a second best.
I had a bunch of sentimental items sustain water damage and start growing mold before I found out last year. So I had no choice but to take photos to commemorate them. It was a pain, but it’s nice now that it’s done. I gotta move in a few months too for the first time in 9 years, so I’m wondering how that might help me declutter a bit
Ugh, I’m sorry to hear about the water damage, Rick. That happened to me with a bunch of albums. It’s such a bummer. Yes, moving is definitely a great time to start making some choices about this stuff!
Exactly this! A while back I realized I could photograph a lot of stuff and then take it to the thrift store so someone else could enjoy it. Of course, I haven't actually done it. And there's a good chance I never will. But it still seems like a great idea. Hopefully, you will have better luck.
Smart man! I need to do it too - my home is not a hoarder's nest, but it could look like one on TV. Or to anyone entering the front door. Softy to hard-ass is not easy. Best of luck!
Late to reading your post.
Absolutely love. I was fortunate enough to live in a very large home that had plenty of storage space.
Before moving into my small condo, I admit I had every handmade card from all of my 5 children, for every holiday, birthday etc. and I knew it was time to make a difficult decision. Keep or be honest about what was really worth keeping.
Along with 500 plus pictures, mementos and cards from my dear husband, I finally let most go.
I’m not a collector of anything and I now feel less stressed after freeing myself from the guilt of letting go.
I’m sure it was really hard to get rid of those things, Barb. I think it helps to remember too that the people associated with these items wouldn’t want us to feel stressed about them, you know? So I’m very glad you were able to get past the guilt. Guilt sucks.
First of all KondoMinimum is such a missed opportunity it hurts. Second, I almost bought a childhood toy replica on eBay for like $100 because it was so special to me as a child…but, instead, I took a screenshot. Turns out that’s all I needed. So I think you’re onto something.
THANK YOU for agreeing with me on KondoMinimum. I felt like I was alone on an island with that one. And kudos on saving $100! (Was it a cherub? I bet it was a cherub.)
Great piece! You chide Marie Kondo for a missed branding opportunity, but, did you even consider “Still Stanton” for your Substack?
Thanks, Bill! Ha, I can’t believe you said that. I actually did consider “I’m Still Stanton”!
Never came accross the idea to take a picture of sentimental items and store them. We might move countries soon and I can see how this is a great idea especially for things like cards or rather "useless" but still memory-drenched things.
Yeah, I think it makes a lot of sense. Time-consuming, but worth it.
Ah! You have two wolves inside of you… the Keeper & the Purger.
Great article!
Thanks, Anne Marie! Yes, the wolves are always fighting for alpha status!
YES! Thank you for capturing the emotions, angst, nostalgia, feel-good, and confusion of Stuff. That ID card. Sheez. I feel that.
That card is from 1918, which makes it even harder! (I know I don’t need to explain to you why that is.) The angst is insane.
If it makes you feel better- your mum isn’t the only one who dumped a jar of baby teeth on their unsuspecting and horrified adult child. I have a ton of friends who have reported this moment and their reaction.
Are you kidding me? I've never heard of anyone else experiencing this! I had no idea this was a rampant problem. Should we all form a support group?
Hi Chris, fellow baby teeth receiver here. I got them sent to me FOR MY 53rd BIRTHDAY, along with the costume I wore in my 7th grade musical production. Hahahahaha
That may be the worst birthday present I've ever heard. I need therapy just hearing about it.
Full disclosure- I had my daughters baby teeth in a silver box for a few years )that sounds super creepy said out loud), but my darling spawn replaced them with broken pieces of a green sweet tart for reasons only she and god understand.
It did save me the dilemma of what to do with them though so I’m thankful 😂
You should be proud for raising a daughter who had enough awareness and courage to break the vicious cycle!
I am indeed. 😂 she saved both of us some future weirdness
I think many would enjoy having a safe space to talk about the weirdness of their mums gifting them back lost body parts 😂😂
Lol I swear you write things I wish I'd thought of first. All the livelong day 😂
This is exactly my life.... I WILL get rid of the things later. Or...I'll just wait til I'm dead and let my landlord do it so I don't have to be accountable. After I'm dead there will be no one who cares about my stuff. My child went before me and I'm convinced that was part of his master plan so he wouldn't have to Kondo my condo.
I'm so sorry about your son, Kristi. It's so cool that you can talk about him with humor like that. And yeah, I don't know your landlord, but I'm 100% sure he deserves to be stuck dealing with your stuff. Screw that guy. (Unless he's actually a good person, in which case forget everything I just said.)
Thanks Chris. He was a super funny guy, it was inevitable that I'd approach grief with humor at some point 😊
My mom always gives me the cast offs of her decluttering too. They go straight to the garbage.
I admire your discipline! I need to act immediately like that and stop messing around.
Why do moms do this to us when they are also the ones that come over and tell us we need to clean our house?!?😂
It's a mom mind-trick! Don't fall for it!
So many great one liners! Kondominium. Haha. At my place it’s never wine o’clock. Haha. Awesome piece. We’ve had to move a lot over the years. It’s a great way to spring clean. Taking pictures is a second best.
Thanks, CK! If/when I ever move, I'm going to leave everything here and let the new owners deal with it. "The listing said 'as-is.' Enjoy."
Perfect. When we moved into our current place we inherited a cat.
That certainly beats some boxes and a stack of old magazines
One of your best 😎
Thank you, brother!
I had a bunch of sentimental items sustain water damage and start growing mold before I found out last year. So I had no choice but to take photos to commemorate them. It was a pain, but it’s nice now that it’s done. I gotta move in a few months too for the first time in 9 years, so I’m wondering how that might help me declutter a bit
Ugh, I’m sorry to hear about the water damage, Rick. That happened to me with a bunch of albums. It’s such a bummer. Yes, moving is definitely a great time to start making some choices about this stuff!
Exactly this! A while back I realized I could photograph a lot of stuff and then take it to the thrift store so someone else could enjoy it. Of course, I haven't actually done it. And there's a good chance I never will. But it still seems like a great idea. Hopefully, you will have better luck.
There’s still time, Marie! Let’s make a pact. I’ll do it if you do it!
YES! I'm just going to put a toe in the water and shoot one thing tomorrow. See how it feels, you know? Separation anxiety has already begun ...
Nice and easy...nice and easy
Smart man! I need to do it too - my home is not a hoarder's nest, but it could look like one on TV. Or to anyone entering the front door. Softy to hard-ass is not easy. Best of luck!
Best of luck to you too! Maybe we can get a group rate on dumpsters.